Risk-adjusted quality outcome measures: indexes for benchmarking rates of mortality, complications, and readmissions.

: This article describes a risk-adjusted approach for profiling hospitals and physicians on quality outcomes using readily available administrative data. By comparing risk-adjusted rates of mortality, complications, and readmissions to rates for peers, national norms, and benchmarks, this approach enables purchasers and providers to compare the performance of providers in terms of both favorable and adverse outcomes.